Healthy ageing: The struggle for maintaining T cells young

Abstract

Recent pandemics, the increasing incidence of cancer and an inversion of the age pyramid towards an older society fuels the need for an in depth understanding of the field of inflammaging and changes in the immune system, in particular of the T cell compartment, which is the most impacted during ageing. Starting from quantitative and qualitative changes that occur in T cells during ageing, this review discusses pathophysiological factors that lead to or accelerate these processes. Furthermore, it highlights emerging strategies aimed at overcoming age-related T-cell dysfunction, with a focus on recent advances in the field. Together, these insights may contribute to a better understanding of how healthy ageing can be promoted through the preservation or rejuvenation of T-cell “youthfulness”, which is central for healthy ageing.